Rebelle Rally Spring Training

This is something we’ve been wanting to do for a while.

A place to share more of the behind the scenes. The training, the lessons, the wins, the challenges, and everything that goes into preparing for the Rebelle Rally as Team Desert Belles.

And it feels pretty fitting to start here. Out in the desert.

There’s something about the desert that always feels like a reset. Maybe it’s the quiet. Maybe it’s the dust. Or maybe it’s the reminder that out here, preparation matters and there’s nowhere to hide if you didn’t do the work.

This year, our first official training took us to Arizona for what we jokingly called our “Spring Training: Cactus League.” 

After time away from rally, we came into this training with one goal. Get sharp again. Not just driving, but everything. Navigation. Communication. Trust.

Out here, small mistakes don’t stay small for long. Driving slightly off heading or making a rushed decision can cost you kilometers. So we slowed it down, focused on the basics, and worked through scenarios that forced us to think, not just react.

And honestly, that’s where the growth happens. 

Chasing Precision in the Open Desert

This training had a very specific focus. Precision on black checkpoints. No flags. No markers. No visual cues. Just open desert, a map, a compass, and a set of coordinates. And the expectation that you can navigate to one exact point on earth.

It sounds simple until you’re out there.

The terrain plays tricks on you. Distances feel different. Land features that look obvious on a map don’t always stand out in real life. And when you’re off, even slightly, you feel it. That’s where the discipline comes in.

We worked intentionally on slowing everything down. Double checking headings. Trusting the process. Communicating clearly. Because in the rally, precision isn’t about moving faster. It’s about being more accurate.

The Rebelle Community

One of the best parts of this training had nothing to do with the driving.

It was the people.

This training was hosted by fellow Rebelle friends, and it reminded us exactly why this community is so special. We camped together, laughed under the stars, and spent our days pushing each other to get better. There’s a level of support here that’s hard to explain unless you’ve experienced it.

At one point, we came across another Rebelle team dealing with a tire change. It was a brand new build, and they realized they didn’t have the right tool to get their spare down. No big drama, just one of those moments that comes with learning a new setup. So we stopped, worked through it together, and got them back on their way.

That’s what this community looks like. We compete, yes. But we also show up for each other. We share knowledge, we problem solve together, and we make sure no one is left stuck out there longer than they need to be.

When the Unexpected Shows Up

Of course, no training is complete without something unexpected. On the final day, we had a check engine light pop up on the Bronco. Never exactly what you want to see when you’re out in the middle of the desert.

But moments like that are part of it.

Modern vehicles, especially something like the Bronco, can be incredibly communicative. Sometimes almost too communicative. And in this case, because we’ve spent so much time learning the vehicle, we had a good understanding of what triggered it.

There’s a big difference between a warning that stops your day and one that you can assess, understand, and confidently work through. That familiarity matters more than people realize. Confidence behind the wheel doesn’t just come from driving skill. It comes from knowing your vehicle, how it behaves, and how it communicates when something isn’t quite right.

Every training is a test. Not just for us, but for the Bronco.

We’re constantly refining our setup to meet the demands of the rally while staying within the constraints that come with it. That means making intentional decisions about how the vehicle is built, how it handles, and most importantly, how it holds up under pressure.

Reliability isn’t just a nice to have out here. It’s everything. This training gave us a chance to start putting that to the test in real conditions. Long days, rough terrain, and no shortcuts.

Looking Ahead

Spring training is always just the beginning. It’s where the rust gets knocked off, where weaknesses show themselves, and where the plan for the season really starts to take shape.

We left Arizona with a clearer vision, a stronger foundation, and plenty to work on for the coming year. Next up, we’ll be diving deeper into how we’re setting up the Bronco for this season and what matters most for endurance style rally.

If this is how the season starts, we’re more than ready for what’s ahead!